several dispatchers attending the meeting, worried about the possible loss of jobs. And previously, the police union has gone on record against the idea.

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Regionalized dispatchThe Police Commission in Newtown is debating the merits of regionalized dispatch. Here are a few key points:ProsA possible cost savings of $150,000Regionalization can be more efficientStaffing would not be the town's responsibilityConsNegligible cost savingsLoss of jobsLoss of autonomy

The dispatch center, which serves the police, ambulance and fire departments, employs nine dispatchers and one director. Its budget for 2014-15 is just over $1 million.

Commission members questioned that figure, arguing that Newtown dispatch would still need to keep four or five trained civilians on duty to handle services unrelated to emergency calls.

Commission member Joel Faxon also noted that the Prospect center has experienced periodic cashflow problems. The center relies on some $300,000 in state grant money, but there is no long-term guarantee that such grants will continue.

The commission asked Capeci and Chaudhary to take its concerns into account, and to consider other potential partners besides prospect.

But Commission Chairman Paul Mangiafico, who visited the Prospect operation with Police Chief Michael Kehoe, said he is convinced regionalization is a bad idea.

"This is not a good idea for Newtown," he said.

Middlebury is the only town that uses Prospect for dispatch, which commissioners noted has a far smaller place than Newtown, they said.

The center's current call volume, about 13,000 a year, is dwarfed by Newtown's, which handles about 30,000 police calls annually, plus another 8,000 fire and ambulance calls, Kehoe said.

The final decision on regionalization belongs to the Legislative Council.

This is not the first time the town has considered regionalization. Four years ago, Newtown considered joining with Danbury and two other towns, but the proposal collapsed when the two towns withdrew.

First Selectman Pat Llodra said the new look at regionalization was prompted by a state legislative push for municipalities to find ways to do business more efficiently.

Llodra conceded that "a change of this magnitude can be very threatening," and said it would not be approved if it would in any way jeopardize public safety.

Capeci and Chaudhary also are looking into other options besides Prospect, including a service in Litchfield. Their report will go to the Board of Selectmen, which will decide whether to forward a proposal to the Legislative Council.